BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

EVERYONE was a winner by the time the curtains came down on the Special Olympics Brunei Darussalam (SOBD) 5th National Games yesterday at the in Berakas.

That was what Adanan Musim, the Programme Director of SOBD, told The Brunei Times in an interview yesterday.

“The response from the athletes, parents and volunteers was really good, they gave all their support, making the Games a successful one,” said Adanan.

“The athletes tried their best to participate in different divisions and some have really shown promise. They’ve got talent in the sport that they are competing in.”

His comments mirrored the international SO oath: “Let me win, But if I cannot win, Let me be brave in the attempt.”

The Programme Director claimed that they have also achieved their objectives at the games which is to raise awareness amongst the public and also to allow the children a place in sports.

“This was a golden (opportunity) for the children to participate just like any other ordinary person,” said Adanan.

“From what I saw, I feel that the awareness of some of the parents has increased. They are giving more support to their children and have gained a greater understanding of their children.”

Pg May Fazura Hj Radin Hanafi, the Director of Family Network SOBD, felt the same way about the games — which were founded in the US by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the sister of late President John. F. Kennedy. In Brunei, the competition is used as a platform to select athletes to undergo training and represent Brunei during the Special Olympics International World Games in Athens, Greece, to be held in June.

“I see a lot of improvement on the field and I believe some of them will be seeing action outside of the country very soon,” said Pg May Fazura.

“More people have really become aware of what’s happening and I believe that’s why we have so many volunteers coming forward. However, I would like to thank them as they have been working hard to make the Games a success,” added Pg May Fazura.

However, the director pointed to some areas which he thought were in need of a tidy up.

“I hope to see more commitment coming from parents, not only in sports but in all activities related to the SO because some only attend the sports activities,” said Pg May Fazura.

Back on the track, Gambir won through as the overall champions by hauling in a total of 32 gold, 16 silver and 13 bronze medals at the three-day competition.

Simpur came in second, recording a total of 24 gold, 13 silver and 13 bronze medals while Sumboi-Sumboi came in third with a medal haul of 23 gold, 26 silver and 22 bronze.

Kuduk-Kuduk followed with 20 bronze, 26 silver and 16 bronze medals.

Just before the closing ceremony was the final of the five-a-side football final which saw Simpur defeat Gambir 7-4 to claim the gold.

Faiz Hj Sapar, the goalkeeper of Simpur, was relieved that they won the final.

” I just feel really happy that we won the gold. It felt really good,” said the 18-year-old, who also captured gold in the metres run and a silver in the metres run.

The bowling events were played in the morning with Sumboi-Sumboi taking the gold medal from all the events on offer at the Jerudong Polo and Country Club.

The duo of Dk Nurafifahizzati Pg Abd Rahman and Hj Mahrub won the Unified Doubles event with a total score of 204 while Mohd Fuad Takong and Hj Shahminan of Kuduk-Kuduk combined for a score of 173 to take the silver.

For Group One of the Singles event, Dk Nurafifahizatti bagged the gold with a total score of 340 from three games while Group Two was won by Md Khairul Anwar Hj Ismail after he tallied 358.

Present to officiate the closing ceremony was Hj Omar Hj Abd Rahman, the permanent secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office.The Brunei Times

Latest by Yee Chun Leong:

• Tony beats Seruji to title
• Brunei silat exponents work hard for SEA meet
• Brunei hoping for 'Perfect 10' outing
• Brunei to send 2 divers at Sukma
• Netball tournament pits princess against princess

Views :420